IN PARLOUS PLIGHT

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 37, 7 November 1933, Page 4

IN PARLOUS PLIGHT

Wellington City Bands DEPUTATION TO COUNCIL A deputation representing the Wellington Brass Bands’ Association waited on the City Council last evening with the request that the subsidies formerly paid to the bands for public performances be resumed. Mr. H. B. Burdekin, president of the association, thanked the council for the opportunity of stating the difficulties the bands of the city were experiencing. They had reached the position that if something were not done some of the bands would have to disband. They were without the £3OO a year subsidy, and now the concerts given were being affected seriously by radio. The restrictions which had been placed on the bands had also diminished their revenue. In the case of their champion band, the Port Nicholson Silver Baud, the liabilities were £3OO and their assets were £7. ‘ Removal of Restrictions. He was going to ask the council to remove all restrictions on collections. If that were done the bandsmen would not make nuisances of themselves, and the council would always have the power to intervene if the privilege was abused. He also asked the council to restore the subsidy as far as it was able. Whether they received the subsidy or not, the bands were going to give some concerts. He would also ask that bandsmen in uniform should be allowed to ride free on the trams, and for the use of the Town Hall now and again when the hall was not required for other purposes. The bands were going to assist at the coming carnival. Councillors could imagine what such a carnival would be without bands—it would be like “Hamlet” without the Prince of Denmark. Mr. W. Spittail, treasurer, dwelt more particularly on the “harsh nature” of the restrictions placed on collections made in public places, aud gave instances where the restrictions were a hindrance. Oriental Bay was the hardest place to make a collection in New Zealand. The Mayor (Mr. T. G. A. Hislop): Perhaps it is the people who live there. The Mayor said that the council had every desire to help the bands; but as they were aware the flnances of the council were such that they could not maintain the subsidies formerly given. He would suggest that the matters mentioned Ire referred to the reserves aud tramways committees. The matter of the subsidy could be considered at a later date at the end of the financial year, when he hoped that the council would be able to render some little assistance to the various bodies which had received such help in the past. ' Use of Town Hall. Cr. O. H. Chapman mentioned • in reference to the request for the use of the Town Hall that the bands might arrange a mass demonstration on some evening when the Town Hall was not otherwise engaged. Mr. Splttal said the baud would entertain the idea. Cr. H. A. Huggins said there , was a restriction against the collectors moving round among the people who congregated around the rotundas. The bandsmen who were collecting had to take up stationary positions, and when there were 300 or 400 people listening one would not expect them to seek these men out. It was not an unfair tiling to ask the people to contribute. He thought it was a matter the council could decide for itself. With reference to the Town Hall, he considered the request a reasonable one. If they gave the use of the hall once a month to the bands it would only cost the council the amount of the lighting. Cr. Huggins hoped that the Tramways Committee would carry tho bandsmen free. It would be a graceful act, and,, as all councillors knew the bands were always coming forward to help various deserving objects. The Mayor said the bands had been given the use of the Town Hall free twice last year, and had made nothing out of it. If they made application the council would meet them. The requests of the deputation were then referred to the Reserves- and Tramways Committees, who would report at tiie next meeting of the council.